The Harlem Globetrotters embarrass their opponents every night. They bounce balls off their heads, pull down their shorts and beat them by at least 30 points. But that's all part of the show -- to them, real bullying is not nearly as entertaining.

The team will return to Tsongas Arena in Lowell Wednesday, but veteran Globetrotter Wun "The Shot" Versher showed up a few days early to talk to about 200 students from the Saint Louis School in Lowell.

He talked about the problems with bullying in school and about how to handle a bully peacefully. Versher also selected some volunteers to learn a few classic Globetrotter tricks, which elicited wild cheers from the rest of the students. The strongest reaction came when Versher revealed he once played basketball with Justin Bieber. The girls squealed with jealousy while the boys put their thumbs down and booed.

The Sun sat down with Versher before the presentation to ask him about bullying, basketball and his life as a Harlem Globetrotter.

Q: What will you be talking to the kids about?

A: Today we're talking about the ABC's of bullying -- ABC stands for "Action, Bravery and Compassion." The Globetrotters visit about 200 schools a year, and we've realized that bullying has become a large problem in our school systems across the country. So we want to lend our part to alleviate it in our system. And maybe if they're up to it, I'll do a couple of tricks with them and have some fun.

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Q: Was bullying something you experienced as a kid?

A: I did, in elementary school actually. It was brief, but I do remember it, even though it was a couple of times, so I can relate to it.

Q: When you talk to kids, where do you tell them to draw the line between messing around and bullying?

A: For us, there is no starting -- that's how we stop it. Since we know that kids sometimes don't know where to draw the line, we encourage to not even start it.

Don't spread rumors about your friends because we realize that bullying is not always physical, we know in this day and age that it's the texting and Facebook and all the social media that's an avenue for you to say nasty things about your classmates. And that can lead to violence.

Q: What's the overall goal of the Globetrotters in regards to community outreach?

A: The Globetrotters are definitely ambassadors of good will, and the job involves goes beyond playing basketball for people and making them smile. We go to hospitals and have what we call the "Smile Patrol," where we go into different rooms and just try to make the kids forget about whatever's ailing them and have some fun. We also go to YMCA and the 200 schools like I said before -- this is all in addition to playing 270 games.

Q: When do you sleep?

A: We don't! It's definitely a daily grind. With these appearances, we rotate, but this type of thing is kind of a break for your body and it's fun because you're up close and you're personal. All the guys love doing this stuff.

Q: Do you find it ironic that you have an anti-bullying program when the Globetrotters have been humiliating the Washington Generals (now called the International Elite) every night for 50 years?

A: (Laughs) That's a different type of bullying, that's all in good fun and good humor.

Q: What's your favorite thing to do on the court during a game?

A: The Magic Circle -- it's when we all get in a circle and do tricks for each other. That's when we break out Sweet Georgia Brown and everyone loves that, especially the older Globetrotter fans.

Q: What's your most memorable experience as a Globetrotter?

A: I'd have to say meeting interesting people and getting the opportunity to visit places I never would otherwise. I met Nelson Mandela when he was president of South Africa. I went to Vatican in Rome and met the Pope.

Q. How long have you played for the Globetrotters?

A: I've been on the team for 18 years.

Q. How much longer can you last?

A: Because you can do this type of community stuff and you can play, there's all these things you can do to help the organization. I can see myself playing another 18 years. I get a lot out of it -- more than probably the kids do. I'm having fun along with them and it keeps me happy, healthy and sane.

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